I know these are difficult times to plan for the future. We do not yet know the full impacts that COVID-19 may have on our summer programming. We ask that you submit paperwork in hopes of a best-case scenario, and remain in open communication with us if and when your needs change, as we will with you.
-- Beverly Stokes, Program Coordinator
-- Beverly Stokes, Program Coordinator
What's new this year:
What's the same this year:
- Most importantly, we are using a new online platform to handle YES Documents called Clust. Just follow the link below these notes. We are hopeful this new portal will be an improvement for you and for us. One big improvement is you can now submit your Worksite Agreement with a digital signature, which means no printing/signing/scanning/faxing for you! You can also message YES directly through the platform and a member of our team will be able to respond directly to your questions. As always, let us know what you think, because we care!
- The Supervisor Guidebook is brand-spanking new. We threw the old one out and built this from the ground up. It is easier to read, less redundant, and has some new sections around performance management, labor laws, and timesheets. Even if you're a long-standing worksite partner, please give this new guidebook a read (and of course, share it with anyone at your organization who will be supervising/working closely with YES Teens).
- Last year we experimented with a new format for Start/End dates. We didn't find it to be successful. This year, you will see the option of choosing the "YES Default Program dates" or customizing your own Start/End dates. [Here's why: if you can be super flexible with your start dates, we'd like to have as many worksites as possible starting at the same time. This makes it much easier to track our funding and for YES Reps to manage their caseloads, among other benefits. However, we realize that not every organization can be flexible, and we want to work with your program, not make things more difficult for you.] As always, we'd love your feedback on this.
- There are a few very small additions on the Job Description form. We ask about your schedule flexibility and if your worksite can accommodate extended schedules/weeks if funding is available.
- There are a lot of new faces on the YES Team. Two of our Program Leaders have been with us less than a year: Cait Lawrence and Charlene Santos. They are both awesome, and can't wait to work with you! We've also got Max Robinson working with us part-time, who you may hear from as you go through the paperwork process.
- New York State minimum wage is now $11.80/hour, and that is what all YES Teens will be earning this summer.
What's the same this year:
- Documentation required. While we have a new platform for managing applications, we'll be asking for the same basic things from you as in years past: a Job Description for each position at your worksite, and a signed Worksite Agreement.
- Basic program format. Teens will work approximately 120 hours, typically 20 hours a week for six weeks.
- We don't know our funding levels, but we anticipate serving a similar number of teens this year (180-200) with the same eligibility constraints as in years past (and we'll let you know if that changes).
- Labor laws matter! Depending on how often your organization hires teens, you may or may not be up-to-speed on the laws governing the employment of minors. We are happy to answer any questions you have to ensure that labor laws are followed consistently.
